Bicycle fatality 04-11-12

Media Release

A 20-year-old Hilo man died Wednesday (April 11) in a vehicle-bicycle collision in Hilo.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending positive identification.

Shortly before 7:29 a.m., a 40-year-old Volcano woman was traveling south on Kinoʻole Street south of Ohea Street in a 2005 Toyota Tacoma when she struck a male University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo student riding a bicycle in the same direction. The Tacoma then struck a utility pole, severing it.

The driver fled the scene traveling south on Kinoʻole Street. An off-duty police officer stopped her at Palai Street.

Fire/rescue personnel took the victim to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:16 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The driver, Alison E. Taylor of Volcano, was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, accident involving death or serious injury, driving under the influence of intoxicants, failure to render aid and driving with a suspended license. She is being held at the Hilo police cellblock while Traffic Enforcement Unit officers continue the investigation.

This is the 10th fatality this year compared with seven at this time last year.